La Higuera, Mining commune in Elqui Province, Chile
La Higuera is a commune in Elqui Province that stretches along Route 5 and covers roughly 4,158 square kilometers of terrain. The territory ranges in elevation, with settlements and rural areas distributed across the landscape in various directions.
The commune emerged as a mining center in the mid-1800s when workers extracted minerals from the surrounding hills. Underground tunnels and remnants of mining operations still remain visible across the landscape today.
Life here follows agricultural and pastoral traditions, with people managing livestock and crops across scattered settlements between the valleys. The work of local farmers shapes how the landscape is used and cared for throughout the year.
The main road Route 5 connects the area, and shared taxis called colectivos depart regularly from La Serena for the journey here. Navigation is straightforward by following the highway and watching for settlement markers along the way.
A national reserve for Humboldt penguins sits within this territory, protecting islands that shelter rare marine wildlife. These remote islands offer a haven for species found nowhere else in the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
